Maternal Nutrition and Breastfeeding

A mother's diet while breastfeeding

One of the most frequently asked questions from mothers who are breastfeeding or pumping milk to feed their babies is, "Do I need to be on a special diet?" In most cases, the answer is no. Women who are breastfeeding should eat a well-balanced diet and drink enough liquids. Although shedding those extra pounds gained during pregnancy may be one of your biggest concerns, strict weight-loss programs are not recommended, especially during the first few months of breastfeeding. There are no special diets a breastfeeding mother must eat, but the following suggestions may help you focus on your eating patterns while breastfeeding:

Adequate fluid intakeDrink enough liquids. You may find you are thirsty during the first few days after delivery as your body sheds excess fluid accumulated during the pregnancy. After that, the body will balance out to a thirst based on your body's needs. However, most mothers do notice they are thirstier when breastfeeding. Drink plenty of liquids, such as juice, water, milk, and soup to quench your thirst. Liquids can be in any form, but limit your intake of any with caffeine. It is not necessary to force fluids beyond your thirst, but it is a good idea to drink something whenever you feel thirsty. Grab something to drink while breastfeeding or keep a glass or mug of liquid near your favorite breastfeeding spot.

VarietyEat a variety of foods. The best guide as to how much to eat should be your own appetite. In general, mothers are hungrier during the first several months of breastfeeding, and you should not ignore feelings of hunger when producing milk for your baby. Grab a one-handed snack to eat while breastfeeding or keep wrapped snacks near your favorite breastfeeding spot.

Sufficient caloric intakeEat many different foods to get the calories, vitamins, and minerals you need to remain healthy. A minimal caloric intake of at least 2,000 calories per day, with an optimal intake of 500 calories above a non-pregnant caloric intake of 1,800 to 2,200 calories, is recommended. (This is the equivalent of a peanut butter sandwich and a glass of milk.) Foods from the following food categories offer the most nutritional value:

Meats

Beans

Vegetables (especially leafy green vegetables)

Fruits or 100 percent fruit juice (not fruit drinks)

Breads, cereals, and grains

Milk, cheese, and eggs

Other diet considerations while breastfeeding

Alcohol consumption and breastfeeding

Chronic, frequent consumption of alcohol may pose a problem to the baby's motor development. In addition, it can interfere with milk let-down (milk-ejection reflex), which may come as a surprise to mothers who've been told an alcoholic beverage will enhance milk let-down by helping them feel more relaxed. Perhaps the most important point is that alcohol use can affect a mother's ability to properly care for her baby.

Spicy or "gassy" foodsSpicy or gas-producing foods are common in the diets of many cultures, and these kinds of foods do not bother most babies. A few babies will develop gas or act colicky when their mothers eat certain foods. However, there are no certain foods that create problems for all babies. Unless you notice that your baby reacts within six hours every time you eat a certain food, there is no need to avoid any particular foods.

Vegetarian dietsVegetarian, or mostly vegetarian, diets have been the mainstay of many cultures for centuries, and the milk of vegetarians usually is as nutritionally appropriate as that of other mothers. You will want to be sure that your diet includes complete proteins, so eat a wide variety of foods. Many vegetarians, including some lacto-ovo vegetarians who eat eggs and dairy products, may require supplementary vitamin D, iron, and calcium during lactation. In addition, the milk of women eating vegan or macrobiotic diets may be deficient in vitamin B12 and these mothers often require supplements of vitamin B12 so their breast milk will contain a sufficient amount.

Coffee, tea, or sodasYou may drink caffeinated beverages; however, caffeine may make your baby jittery, irritable, or have difficulty sleeping, especially if you drink too many or drink too much quickly. Drink mainly caffeine-free beverages when breastfeeding. If you enjoy caffeinated beverages, limit your intake to about two eight-ounce servings per day.

AlcoholIt is best to limit drinking alcoholic beverages while breastfeeding or pumping for milk, although an occasional alcoholic beverage or two is not contraindicated. Alcohol passes into and back out of breast milk at about the same rate it enters and leaves your bloodstream. If you plan to have an alcoholic beverage, breastfeed beforehand and allow an hour or two before breastfeeding afterward. If you become intoxicated, pump and do not give that milk to the baby. You can resume breastfeeding once you are sober.

Smoking/tobacco useTobacco use often affects a woman's appetite and the taste of many foods. It is best to avoid tobacco use when breastfeeding or pumping. Although the benefits of your milk generally outweigh the risks of limited tobacco use, nicotine and its byproducts do pass into milk and tobacco use may cause a baby to have a more rapid heartbeat, be restless, or have vomiting or diarrhea. Babies should not be exposed to secondhand smoke. (Respiratory illnesses are more common among babies exposed to parental smoking, regardless of the infant's feeding method.)

In addition to its possible effects on the baby, tobacco use can interfere with milk let-down (milk ejection reflex) and it may reduce the amount of milk you produce. If you cannot stop using tobacco products, consider a low-nicotine variety and smoke immediately after breastfeeding, as the amount of nicotine in your milk decreases over two to three hours.

Consult your physician if you want to use nicotine gum or patches, and do not combine the gum or patch with smoking while you are breastfeeding.

Health conditions affecting mother's diet

A few maternal health conditions may have a direct or indirect effect on lactation. These may include, but are not limited to, the following:

Metabolic conditions, such as diabetes or thyroid diseases

An eating disorder or depressionAn eating disorder or depression can also influence appetite and diet. Fortunately, most conditions are not incompatible with breastfeeding. A dietitian specializing in perinatal nutrition can help you develop a realistic diet plan if a health condition influences how much you eat or how your body uses food.

If you ever have any questions about nutrition or healthy dieting when breastfeeding, contact your physician, a certified lactation consultant (IBCLC), or a dietitian who specializes in perinatal nutrition.